Federal updates
- High-level negotiations are continuing between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Joe Manchin on a revised reconciliation package. There is increasing concern that the housing investments proposed in last year’s Build Back Better will be left out of the slimmed-down package that’s currently under negotiation. Congress needs to hear from advocates that affordable housing investments must be included.
- The House Appropriations Subcommittee Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) released its fiscal year (FY) 2023 draft spending bill on June 22. The bill would provide $62.7 billion for HUD’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs – an increase of $9 billion over FY22-enacted levels, and $1.1 billion above the president’s FY23 budget request. For full details, see NLIHC’s updated budget chart.
State updates
- At the General Assembly, House and Senate leaders appear to have reached an agreement on the budget. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger met over the weekend to continue negotiations and Speaker Moore announced Monday that a budget deal had been reached between the Senate and House. Details could be released publicly on Tuesday. Speaker Moore anticipates budget votes on Friday and Saturday before adjourning the short session. The Coalition is continuing to monitor the budget process and advocate for increased levels of housing funding.
- Albemarle County is testing an Eviction Prevention Partnership (EPP), which can help connect people to the legal resources they need to fight an eviction procedure. Nearly 160 evictions have been prevented since the program began in December. The program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act: Albemarle County testing partnership for eviction prevention | CBS 19
- Lowe’s is launching a nationwide community improvement program and has committed $100M to help restore and revitalize community spaces, including neighborhood housing, parks, community centers, etc. There are nine North Carolina projects on the list, including amenities for a permanent supportive housing community, capital improvements for nonprofits, a community garden, and others: Lowe’s launches $100M community improvement program; 9 NC projects on list | WRAL Tech Wire
- Mecklenburg County Commissioners adopted its FY 2023 operating budget, including funds for affordable housing. It includes $500,000 for the County to research the effects of corporate-owned real estate and its impact on residents and values: County Commissioners Adopt $2.2 Billion Operating Budget | MeckNC.gov
Reports, events, resources
- NLIHC is launching Summer of Ideas, an educational event series that aims to showcase and amplify stories about the social and economic issues facing marginalized communities in the U.S. The series kicks off on June 30th.
- Four Ways to Support the Housing and Reentry Needs of Older Adults | Housing Matters
- Shifting the Affordable Housing Narrative Through Arts and Culture | Shelterforce
- Tiny homes are being built by churches and nonprofits to help ease the homeless crisis | Business Insider
- The dream of owning a home is out of reach for 4 million Americans | WRAL
